sport news Collin Morikawa dismisses reports that he is the next big name to join Saudi ... trends now
Collin Morikawa has firmly dismissed reports that he is the next big name in golf to join the controversial LIV Golf Tour, with the Open champion insisting he is 'here to stay on the PGA Tour.'
Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka was the latest player to join the Saudi breakaway tour, following in the footsteps of fellow Americans Bryan DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.
Reports then transpired on Tuesday of last year's Open winner Morikawa joining the tour, but in an amusing statement on Twitter, the 25-year-old dismissed the rumours.
'Just your #11 money winner on PIP here to say good morning to everyone! Last week at my press conference, I said the media loves creating drama,' said World No 4 Morikawa.
'Sure enough, I woke up this morning to everyone thinking I'm next. Not to say I told you so but…I told you so.
'To state for the record, once again, you all are absolutely wrong. I've said it since February at Riviera that I'm here to stay on the PGA Tour and nothing has changed. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some cereal to pour in my milk.'
Koepka - who has earned £30.8million ($37.9m) in career prize money to date - will have commanded a seven-figure fee to sign up, similar to that of Dustin Johnson, who received a £120m ($150m) up-front fee.
Collin Morikawa dismissed reports that he is the next big name in golf to join the LIV Golf Tour
Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka was the latest player to join the Saudi breakaway tour
Notably Koepka - who has won the US Open twice and the US PGA twice - removed 'PGA Tour/Nike Athlete' from his bio on Twitter last night.
Koepka will, according to The Telegraph, be announced as a new member of the Series ahead of the second event at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland, Oregon, next week.
For now, Kopeka remains in the official field for the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour this week, as defectors to LIV have so far not been suspended by the PGA Tour until they have hit shots at a LIV event.
Ahead of last week's US Open at Brookline, former world No 1 Koepka hit back when questioned about the Saudi-backed tour, insisting reporters were casting a 'black cloud' over the tournament.
'I don't understand. I'm trying to focus on the US Open, man. I legitimately don't get it. I'm tired of the conversations. I'm tired of all this stuff,' he said.
Koepka - pictured with wife, actress Jena Sims - has earned $37.9million in career prize money
'I'm here at the US Open, I'm ready to play the US Open, and I think it kind of sucks, too, you are all throwing this black cloud over the US Open. It's one of my favourite events. I don't know why you guys keep doing
